Chapter 294: The Scholar and the General of Xiong Zhigang

【Eight Steeds Ascend the Dragon Chariot +5】

【Type: Equipment · Chariot/Amulet】

【Quality: Exceptional】

【Durability: 600/600 (+500 increased)】

【Size Adaptation (Active): Consumes 950 (reduced by 50 with +5 enhancement) mana points to transform into chariot or amulet form】

【Guardian Procession (Passive): Requires 9.5% (reduced by 0.5% with +5 enhancement) of maximum mana per hour to maintain; consumes 4.5% (reduced by 0.5% with +5 enhancement) of maximum mana to re-summon】

【Golden Boy and Jade Girl (Passive): Max: 15% (increased by 5% with +5 enhancement). Current: 14%】

【Golden Warrior Escort (Passive): After death, consumes 950 (reduced by 50 with +5 enhancement) mana points to replenish quantity】

【Dragon-Horse Lead (Passive): After death, consumes 950 (reduced by 50 with +5 enhancement) mana points to replenish quantity】

【Protective Talisman (Passive): When in amulet form, triggers a healing effect restoring 65% (increased by 5% with +5 enhancement) of maximum HP when HP drops to 45% (increased by 5% with +5 enhancement) or below; cooldown: 23 hours 10 minutes (reduced by 50 minutes with +5 enhancement)】

【Escort and Protection (Passive): When in chariot form, every 9.5% (reduced by 0.5% with +5 enhancement) drop in own HP grants all summoned units 1.5% (increased by 0.5% with +5 enhancement) of all stats (max 15 stacks)】

【Ascend with Dragon and Phoenix (Passive): Increases number of base/advanced skills (increased by 1 with +5 enhancement) and skill levels (increased by 1 level with +5 enhancement)】

Chu Danqing glanced over; the earlier enhancements were modest, but the true change lay in the final passive: Ascend with Dragon and Phoenix.

“The Pure Yang Heavenly General and Yin Dark Maiden have grown stronger,” Chu Danqing muttered, glancing at the panel and understanding fully.

The Golden Warriors and Dragon-Horses had likewise gained one base skill and one advanced skill, and both types of skills were one level higher than Chu Danqing’s.

“Too bad, no enhancement materials left,” Chu Danqing wished to push it to +6, but success rate was only 2.8%.

Actually enhancing it would be like throwing 6,000 Paradise Points into water.

“I hope the war mission yields big,” Chu Danqing relied entirely on this mission.

Paradise had never disappointed in generosity.

After stowing it away, Chu Danqing headed for the Arena.

Upon arrival, he immediately opened the Arena Shop and exchanged all his mana, five attributes, and charm glory potions, plus the True Spirit Equipment Evolution Scroll (Exceptional), for them.

【Rank 1 Arena Glory Potion · Mana / Five Attributes / Charm】

【Type: Consumable】

【Quality: Exceptional】

【Effect 1: Increases maximum mana by 10,000 / five attributes growth +1 / charm growth +1】

【Effect 2: Mana conversion ratio +10 / five attributes check +1 / charm check +1】

【Effect 3: Mana recovery efficiency +100】

Unlike life and mana glory potions with three effects, five attributes and charm had only two.

But the effects were superior—growth aside, Chu Danqing’s legacy skills had no corresponding growth bonuses.

Checks, however, were useful: for instance, if someone probed Chu Danqing’s attributes, they’d face 30 points in five attributes, not 29.

It sounded somewhat redundant, but Chu Danqing figured if it cost so much, it must have its uses.

After consuming all three potions, another round of enhancement began.

The potions worked swiftly and gently; soon the enhancement was complete. Chu Danqing also converted his remaining 42,000 Arena Points into three Basic Skill Crystals, keeping 10,000.

He then instructed a broker to sell them all for urgent Paradise Points.

Whether he sold to a major faction, lone wanderer, or small team didn’t matter—so long as the Paradise Points arrived.

With the notary seal signed, Chu Danqing wasn’t worried the buyer would steal his goods; the broker handled fees and deductions himself, and Chu Danqing wouldn’t haggle or withhold.

Let others earn what they’re owed.

Brokers profit from connections; their industry is unique, under Paradise supervision—they’d never ruin their own future.

He estimated each Basic Skill Crystal could fetch around 30,000 Paradise Points.

After selling, he could upgrade his skills again.

At first glance, it didn’t seem expensive—but outside major factions, these were priceless.

Most Apostles couldn’t buy them even if they had the money.

Just before leaving, Chu Danqing half-jokingly probed: “If this deal goes through, you owe me some info you’re not supposed to reveal.”

The broker understood but only smiled bitterly: “Can’t do it—this would be a losing deal.”

That confirmed the information was truly costly.

Chu Danqing abandoned the idea of buying.

Then the broker departed immediately to arrange his requested items.

Chu Danqing spent 48 Paradise Points to summon Xiong Zhigang.

This time, the man arrived quickly—he’d been waiting since Chu Danqing had informed him earlier.

And he came alone, unlike before when he brought a full retinue.

“Master Chu, you’ve grown stronger,” Xiong Zhigang sensed his own power had shifted again.

Because it was percentage-based, the change was unmistakable.

“Of course—I’m broke now. If you hadn’t grown stronger, wouldn’t all my money be wasted?” Chu Danqing said with perfect confidence.

For someone with his mediocre talent, the fastest way to grow was to throw resources at it.

Otherwise, how could he compete? He had access to enough resources to rise—this was why he remained top-tier at Rank 1.

“Hahaha, Master Chu’s Paradise Points are no ordinary currency,” Xiong Zhigang replied, then added: “Time is short—every hour I stay costs you one more Paradise Point. Let’s begin.”

Xiong Zhigang knew how hard-earned Paradise Points were—better to act fast.

Finishing today’s quota would save Chu Danqing some points.

“Fine. Won’t you release your troops?” Chu Danqing asked.

Xiong Zhigang explained: “I could, but hidden troops lose a little less than half an hour’s bonus.”

“Then don’t release them. How quickly can you summon all troops in battle?” Chu Danqing asked.

He wanted the bonus—but only if Xiong Zhigang could deploy fast enough.

“Rest assured, Master Chu—I can do it in a thought,” Xiong Zhigang said confidently, having tested it himself.

Chu Danqing checked Xiong Zhigang’s stats—already at 18—and nodded: “Good. I’ll start.”

【Matching Arena Opponent】

【Match Complete. Entering Arena.】

【Match Complete. Both sides have entered.】

【Arena: Desert Site #963】

Match activated. Chu Danqing held his large bone, Da Bao followed, and Xiong Zhigang stood beside him—suddenly, they stood in a vast desert.

This was good news—he could fully leverage Xiong Zhigang’s troops.

But before he even saw the enemy, Xiong Zhigang unleashed all his troops at once.

Xiong Zhigang’s base stats were only 18—far below Chu Danqing’s.

But Chu Danqing’s summoning buffs were so powerful that, after enhancement, Xiong Zhigang far surpassed him.

His reaction speed was far superior.

Before Chu Danqing could react, battle had already begun.

“How’s it going?” Chu Danqing asked.

Before Xiong Zhigang could answer, a female general charged forward with sword drawn.

She was an old acquaintance Chu Danqing had met before.

Yes—Murong Ying, the woman who raided the Luo Sect to kidnap people.

He hadn’t expected her to now serve under Xiong Zhigang.

Chu Danqing had no gender bias—he was merely surprised.

Murong Ying was a martial wanderer, rough and untamed—how could she serve anyone?

But her strength was undeniable.

If nurtured properly, she could become the next Number One Under Heaven.

The poor study, the rich wield weapons—luckily, with Chu Danqing’s aid, Xiong Zhigang’s productivity had skyrocketed.

He wasn’t short of money, and in resources, even the imperial court couldn’t match him.

With Chu Danqing’s summoning and Xiong Zhigang’s military lord class, Murong Ying’s combat power surged.

She looked like a melee version of Guo Ming’s lesser self.

“Master Chu, rest easy—in ten rounds at most, General Murong will slay her,” said a middle-aged man in scholar’s robes.

He spoke while assessing the battle.

“Ren Ruzhi, advisor to Grand Coordinator Xiong, assisting in strategy and paperwork,” the man introduced himself.

Chu Danqing immediately understood—he was an official advisor, not a private retainer.

Unlike private counselors, Ren Ruzhi held an official post.

Chu Danqing studied him, then opened his stats panel.

“Interesting,” Chu Danqing realized Ren Ruzhi’s power was low—but he was a buff monster.

His buffs were all army-wide, but with a flaw: each had limited uses.

Once used, they reset only the next day, and most had only one use.

But their duration was absurd—lasted until battle’s end.

Meaning they could carry a full campaign.

But in the Arena, they were useless—hence never used before.

It effectively compensated for Xiong Zhigang’s lack of active skills.

(End of Chapter)